US6121966A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Navigable viewing system
Assignee: Apple Inc
•
Filing: 1996-06-18
•
Granted: 2000-09-19
•
Expires: 2016-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A method, system and program for creating an overview image display of an environment or series of images and a detail window into the overview image display. The detail window consists of a single frame of the overview image or some corresponding image to present additional detail of the selected portion of the overview image . Additional features include the ability to interactively reposition a pointer to select another detail window corresponding to another area of the overview image . Further capabilities are provided to store selective reference points as a user interactively selects the reference points and play them back at some user initiated later time. To aid the user, the interactive selections are identified by a series of area indicias left on the display.
Inventors
- 👤 Laura A. Teodosio
- 👤 Michael I. Mills
- 👤 Mitchell A. Yawitz
- 👤 Lili Cheng
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/04815
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 82
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A computer-implemented method comprising the following steps: a. forming an overview image comprised of a set of frames corresponding with each of a plurality of images, said overview image including a first frame corresponding with one of said plurality of images, b. displaying said overview image on a display simultaneously with a detail image containing said one of said plurality of images; and c. allowing user navigation of said plurality of images in said detail image using said detail image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A computer-implemented method comprising the following steps: a. forming an overview image comprised of a set of frames corresponding with each of a plurality of images, said overview image including a first frame corresponding with one of said plurality of images, b. displaying said overview image on a display simultaneously with a detail image containing said one of said plurality of images; and c. allowing user navigation of said plurality of images in said detail image using said detail image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said set of frames are scaled representations of each of said plurality of images.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said set of frames are pieced together in said overview image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said set of frames are pieced together in said overview image into a panorama.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 1 comprising the step of allowing user navigation of said plurality of images in said detail window using said overview image including the steps of a. allowing a user to move a cursor to a second frame in said overview image corresponding with a second of said plurality of images; and b. simultaneously displaying said overview image and said second of said plurality of images in said detail window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said step of allowing a user to move a cursor to said second area in said overview image includes: a. determining the coordinates of said second area in said overview image; and b. determining a frame number of said second of said plurality of images.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of allowing user navigation of said plurality of images in said detail widow includes the steps of: a. allowing a user to move a cursor in said detail image; b. determining a direction of movement of said cursor, c. determining a second image in said plurality of images which corresponds with the direction of movement of said cursor; and d. simultaneously displaying said overview image and said detail image containing said second of said plurality of images.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said step of displaying said overview image includes the step of highlighting a second frame in said overview image which corresponds with said second of said plurality of images.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 comprising the step of maintaining said highlighting of said second frame during said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said highlighting traces said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 comprising the step of tracing said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 comprising the step of tracing said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12 comprising the step of storing said tracing of said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 comprising the step of playing back said user navigation by said user of said plurality of images.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 comprising the step of highlighting of said frames during said tracing of said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 15 comprising the step of maintaining said highlighting said frames during said tracing of said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 comprising the step of tracing said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17 comprising the step of storing said tracing of said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 18 comprising the step of playing back said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 17 comprising the step of highlighting frames in said overview image during said tracing of said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 20 comprising the step of maintaining said highlighting of said frames during said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of images comprises a sequence of images of a panorama.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said panorama comprises a spherical panorama.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said panorama comprises a semi-circular panorama.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of displaying said overview image includes highlighting said first frame in said overview image.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
44 words
The method of 1 wherein said step of allowing user navigation of said plurality of images in said detail image includes highlighting frames in said overview image which correspond to images in said plurality of images which are navigated to during said user navigation.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
44 words
The method of 1 wherein said step of allowing user navigation of said plurality of images in said detail image includes highlighting frames in said overview image which correspond to images in said plurality of images which are navigated to during said user navigation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
89 words
A machine-readable medium configured to cause a computer to perform a method comprising the following steps: a. forming an overview image comprised of a set of frames corresponding with each of a plurality of images, said overview image including a first frame corresponding with one of said plurality of images; b. displaying said overview image on a display simultaneously with a detail image containing said one of said plurality of images; and c. allowing user navigation of said plurality of images in said detail image using said detail image.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
89 words
A machine-readable medium configured to cause a computer to perform a method comprising the following steps: a. forming an overview image comprised of a set of frames corresponding with each of a plurality of images, said overview image including a first frame corresponding with one of said plurality of images; b. displaying said overview image on a display simultaneously with a detail image containing said one of said plurality of images; and c. allowing user navigation of said plurality of images in said detail image using said detail image.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 27 wherein said set of frames are scaled representations of each of said plurality of images.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 28 wherein said set of frames are pieced together in said overview image.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 28 wherein said set of frames an pieced together in said overview image into a panorama.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
76 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 27 configured to cause a step of allowing user navigation of said plurality of images in said detail window using said overview image including the steps of: a. allowing a user to move a cursor to a second frame in said overview image corresponding with a second of said plurality of images; and b. simultaneously displaying said overview image and said second of said plurality of images in said detail window.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
52 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 31 wherein said step of allowing a user to move a cursor to said second area in said overview image includes: a. determining the coordinates of said second area in said overview image; and b. determining a frame number of said second of said plurality of images.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
86 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 27 wherein said step of allowing user navigation of said plurality of images in said detail window includes the steps of: a. allowing a user to move a cursor in said detail image; b. determining a direction of movement of said cursor, c. determining a second image in said plurality of images which corresponds with the direction of movement of said cursor; and d. simultaneously displaying said overview image and said detail image containing said second of said plurality of images.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 28 wherein said step of displaying said overview image includes the step of highlighting a second frame in said overview image which corresponds with said second of said plurality of images.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 34 configured to cause the step of maintaining said highlighting of said second frame during said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 35 wherein said highlighting traces said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 34 configured to cause the step of tracing said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 33 configured to cause the step of tracing said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 38 configured to cause the step of storing said tracing of said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 39 configured to cause the step of playing back said user navigation by said user of said plurality of images.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 38 configured to cause the step of highlighting said frames during said tracing of said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 41 configured to cause the step of maintaining said highlighting of said frames during said tracing of said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 27 configured to cause the step of the step of tracing said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 43 configured to cause the step of storing said tracing of said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 44 configured to cause the step of playing back said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
30 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 43 configured to cause the step of highlighting frames in said overview image during said tracing of said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 46 configured to cause the step of maintaining said highlighting of said frames during said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 27 wherein said plurality of images comprises a sequence of images of a panorama.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
13 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 48 wherein said panorama comprises a spherical panorama.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 48 wherein said panorama comprises a semicircular panorama.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
23 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 27 wherein said step of displaying said overview image includes highlighting said fist frame in said overview image.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
46 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 27 wherein said step of allowing user navigation of said plurality of images in said detail image includes highlighting frames in said overview image which correspond to images in said plurality of images which are navigated to during said user navigation.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus comprising: a. means for forming an overview image comprised of a set of frames corresponding wit each of a plurality of images, said overview image including a first free corresponding with one of said plurality of images; b. means for displaying said overview image on a display simultaneously with a detail image containing said one of said plurality of images; and c. means for allowing user navigation of said plurality of images in said detail image using said detail image.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus comprising: a. means for forming an overview image comprised of a set of frames corresponding wit each of a plurality of images, said overview image including a first free corresponding with one of said plurality of images; b. means for displaying said overview image on a display simultaneously with a detail image containing said one of said plurality of images; and c. means for allowing user navigation of said plurality of images in said detail image using said detail image.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 53 wherein said set of frames are scaled representations of each of said plurality of images.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 54 wherein said set of frames are pieced together in said overview image.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 54 wherein said set of frames are pieced together in said overview image into a panorama.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 53 comprising a means for allowing user navigation of said plurality of images in said detail window using said overview image including: a. means for allowing a user to move a cursor to a second frame in said overview image corresponding with a second of said plurality of images; and b. means for simultaneously displaying said overview image and said second of said plurality of images in said detail window.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for allowing a user to move a cursor to said second area in said overview image includes: a. means for determining the coordinates of said second area in said overview image; and b. means for determining a frame number of said second of said plurality of images.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
90 words
The apparatus of claim 53 wherein said means for allowing user navigation of said plurality of images in said detail window includes: a. means for allowing a user to move a cursor in said detail image; b. means for determining a direction of movement of said cursor, c. means for determining a second image in said plurality of images which corresponds with the direction of movement of said cursor; and d. means for simultaneously displaying said overview image and said detail image containing said second of said plurality of images.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 59 wherein said means for displaying said overview image includes a means for highlighting a second frame in said overview image which corresponds with said second of said plurality of images.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 60 comprising a means for maintaining said highlighting of said second frame during said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 61 wherein said highlighting traces said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 60 comprising a means for tracing said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 59 comprising a means for tracing said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 64 comprising a means for storing said tracing of said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 65 comprising a means for playing back said user navigation by said user of said plurality of images.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 64 comprising a means for highlighting of said frames during said tracing of said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 67 comprising a means for maintaining said highlighting said frames during said tracing of said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 53 comprising a means for tracing said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 69 comprising a means for storing said tracing of said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 70 comprising a means for playing back said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim comprising a means for highlighting frames in said overview image during said tracing of said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 72 comprising a means for maintaining said highlighting of said frames during said user navigation of said plurality of images.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 53 wherein said plurality of images comprises a sequence of images of a panorama.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 74 wherein said panorama comprises a spherical panorama.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 75 wherein said panorama comprises a semicircular panorama.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 53 wherein said means for displaying said overview image includes a means for highlighting said first frame in said overview image.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 53 wherein said means for allowing user navigation of said plurality of images in said detail image includes a means for highlighting frames in said overview image which correspond to images in said plurality of images which are navigated to during said user navigation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-09-19 | 2004-03-20 | 2004-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-19 | 2008-03-20 | 2008-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-19 | 2012-03-20 | 2012-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |